Automatic spark retarder



Oct. 20, 1925- 1,558,255

F. C. FAURE AUTOMATIC SPARK RETARDER Filed Sept. 13, 1923 2% I 35 1 JJ ,2!)

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Patented Och 20, 19250 unites stares rnann o. sauna, or rnrnrioma, eamronnm,

AUTOMATIC SPARK RETARDER'.

Application filed September 13, 1923. Serial No. coarse.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK C. FAURE, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Petaluma, in the county of Sonoma and State of California, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Automatic Spark Retarders, of which the following is a specification.

'lhis invention relates to automobiles, and has special reference to a safety device for automobile engines in the nature of an automatic spark retarder.

it is a well known fact that practically all automobile engines are provided with a starting motor which is controlled by a switch convenient to the operators foot.

It is also well known that the engines of automobiles, of the internal combustion type, should always be started with the spark retarded as if an attem t is made to start the engine with the spar advanced, the engine is apt to kick back and injure the starting motor, or the person cranking the engine where a crank is used.

The principal and most important object of the resent invention is to provide an automatic means wherehy, prior to the possihility of closing the starting switch, it will he necessary to move the spark retarding element to spark retarded position.

A second important object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved device actuated by the same movement on the cart of the operator which closes the starting switch to primarily retard the spark.

A. third important object of the invention is to'provide an improved means of the foregoing description which will permit retarding of the spark in the usual manner Toy the operator without interfering with the automatic spark retarding means.

With the above and other objects in view as will he hereinafter apparent, the intern tion consists in general of certain novel. de tails of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and. specifically claimed..

in the acconipanyin drawings like charactors of reference indicate like parts in the several views, and:

Fig, l is a side elevation of the device shown in its relation to the controlling switch of the starting motor, and to the spark retarding element.

Fig. 2 is a front view thereof.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail view showing the yielding arrangement for permitting operation of the ordinary :sparh retarding lever without operation of the automatic means. i

Fig, i is a section on the line lV-JV' of" I i? 3,

n carrying out this invention, in the emhodiment herein illustrated, there is provided a pair of hearings 10, secured on the foot heard 11 of the automobile, and in these hearings is journalled a rock shaft 12 having projecting from one end a roclt: arm 13 provided at its extremity with a pedal 14, which overlies the starting switch S, but is normail in spaced relation there to. From the ot 161 end of the roclr shaft 12 extends a rock arm 15, and it is to he noted that the rock shaft and its two rock arms are preferahly formed integrally with a single length of rod. This last rocl arm 15 is provided at its extremity with an openin it wherethrough passes a'rod l7 projectlng rearwardly from the arm 15, and surrounded by a coiled compression spring 18 which is held in'tension adjusted position on the red by the nuts 19.. (in the forwardly projecting end of this red '1'? is a push her 20 which has one end turned laterally as at 21'; to receive the rod 17 and to form a hearing against which the arm 15 ushes. bar 20 is a so turned laterally at %2, and enters an eye 23 on a connecting member 24 claim ed to the sparlr controllin element 25, this losing here shown as a rod and having the usual connection, (not shown) with the arm on the distributor,

New in operation it will be seen when it is desired to start the car by means of the switch S, the operator places his foot on the pedall l and depresses nodal. The edectot this is first to move the spark to retarded osition, and then to close the switch S. 'l? us the anode is always retarded whenever the switch S is closed, it? the operator desires to retard the spark, as in running, he inefifido this without afifecting the position of t pmal since the spring 1% will yield. and permit the rod 1'? to slide three h the endntthe roch arm 15 While the device has heen shown in this articular instance as mounted on a that a card, it is obvious that it is mounted in The other end of this lllli Mill Whe'iever position is convenient to the switch 5, is being oote& that diiferent cars have the starting switches in Widely iiiiereni positions. Q

There has thus keen proviried a simpie and efficient device of the kind describe-ti, and for the purpose'specifieii.

is is obvious ihat minor changes may ice made in the form andconsiruction of isioe invention Without in any Way depariing from the ma'ieriai spirit thereof. It is not,

ihereiore desired to confine the invention to the exact form =i1erein shown and describeei, but it is wisiseci io include aii suciri properly come Within as scope claimed.

thus flescriioezi the inveniion, is claimed as new is:

1., combination with the starhioe switch @143 spark control eiemem of etc ouiomobiie engioe; of means coanests Lo the cooiroi element ami operairiie primarily io move the controi ciemeiii; io spark retarding position and than 330 sogage and ciose saifi swii'cii, including a peiiai :res'im over the switch in nomiai spaced. reieiio'e iiiereto, an ooeraii've connection foeiweeri said pedai and spark ccniroi elem p ovide-ii Wiiii yieiciaoie means messes mii retarding movement of ihe spark control element independently of the movement of the pedal.

2. The combination with the starting motor switch and the spark control element of on automobile engme; of means connected to the control element and operable primarily to move the control element to spark retarding position and then to engage and close said switch and including a rock shaft journailed adjacent said switch, a rock arm extending from said rock shaft and having s pedal cveriying said switch in normal spaced relation thereto, a second rock arm extending from said shaft, a push oar having one end resting against the second rock. arm to be moved "thereby open the pedai being depressed, an operative connection between the remaining end of said bar and fizhe spark controi element, a rod projecting from said pusher bar ihrough said second rock arm, a stop on the end of the rod, and compression spfing between said stops and ihe rock arm to hold the end of the pusher om yieidabiy against the second rock arm.

In testimony "whereof I afix my signature,

FRANK c. FAURE. 

